In these dog days of summer, one would think that even criminals would slow down and seek some shade.

Yet, in recent weeks, Bee County deputies have made several unnerving arrests of brazen, daytime burglary suspects, especially for those persons living in the countryside.

On July 18, deputies arrested a 33-year-old Mathis man for burglary of a habitation for the second time in less than two weeks.

The intended victim was at home in Tynan when he heard a knock on his door and was unable to answer immediately. Before he could reach the door, the intruder kicked in the door and walked into the house.

The victim described the burglar’s pickup to the dispatcher, who radioed deputies, and they made the arrest a short time later, recovering many stolen items. The suspect admitted that he had committed the burglaries to support a drug habit.

Then on Aug. 6, deputies investigating a home burglary on FM Road 796 near Tynan retrieved photos from a surveillance system, allowing them to obtain a positive identification of the suspects’ vehicle.

Deputies and a Highway Patrol trooper stopped two men at the intersection of SH 359 and U.S. 181. During a search of their vehicle, deputies recovered items taken from the victims’ home.

Deputy Lt. John Davis said both suspects were from Mathis, and deputies found other stolen items in that city.

Sheriff Carlos Carrizales said his deputies have experienced a steady increase in calls from the victims of burglaries. He attributes the increase in property crimes to an influx of new residents who are working in the Eagle Ford Shale.

The sheriff offered some good advice, encouraging residents to watch each others’ homes and call the sheriff’s office immediately if they see suspicious activities.

Carrizales also urged residents who plan to be out of town to have a neighbor, friend or relative check on their homes, collect newspapers and empty mailboxes. He recommended that residents put timers on lights around the home to make it appear as if someone is there.

An alarm system or a video surveillance system can help nab these thieves. More expensive video systems can be monitored from a remote computer or a smart phone. The sheriff said using game cameras might be an alternative to consider.

It seems that everyone should become better prepared for these unwelcome, potentially dangerous visitors.

It's really easy for them to talk but when it comes for beeville residence to call our police department about suspicious activity ,weather it be suspected drug dealing on our neighbor street or long time citizens of beeville that are trying to sleep and so called temporary oilfield workers are disturbing the peace in neighborhoods that use to be quiet. You have to call multiple times to even get a officer to respond. And are told by dispatch they need probable cause to investigate. So instead long term beeville residence are being forced to put up with disrespectful oilfield workers, because our young rookie police force seems to scared to confront these valley men. That have sometimes 6 to 7 men that we know of in a two bedroom home. So I seems to me the only choice we have is to turn to our neighbors. Don't say report suspicious activity if you are not going to do anything about it!